P Chidambaram – Former Union Finance Minister:

U.S. Congress passes a Bill to give $600 to the relatively poorer Americans.

President Trump threatens to reject the Bill unless it is increased to $2000 or, for a couple, $4000

Here, in India, despite our pleas, the government is unwilling to make ANY cash transfer to the poorest one-third of the families.

UPA lifted 270 million people out of poverty.

The pandemic, the unplanned lockdowns and the Modi government have pushed many millions below the poverty line